Christmas

keepingquiet

Romola

I too used to love Christmas, but without my late DH, all the memories are tinged with sadness. I try to be upbeat but the tears are always near the surface.
It is lovely to be with family, but there are no children now. The GSs are grown up, and somehow the magic of Christmas has gone with their childhood.

When we grow up we begin to realise that this is what Christmas is about: how do we get through the dark winter days without our loved ones being here?

Someone I know recently broke up with a long term girlfriend. The first thing he did? Went out and bought the biggest Christmas tree he could find and decorated it with lights and tinsel.

Christmas, whether you are Christian or not, is simply an act of defiance against the pain and the loss we undergo in our lives.

So despite another close bereavement this year we shall celebrate just the same, as my loved one did after losing a little child.

I think this dark aspect to Christmas is often overlooked in the buying and gorging that goes on- but when you have been there you know that we have to celebrate the light returning.

The hope in the infant and yes, the sheer joy on a child's face, even if that joy was long ago. No one can take away those precious Christmas memories.

I wish you peace at least Romola, this Christmas.

Lovely comments❤️

I just hate it it brings back so many memories both good and bad. I am always filled with regrets of things I should have done and thoughts of Christmas magic when my children were small .

I love Christmas!

GrannyGravy13

I adore Christmas and all it entails 🎄🤶🏻🎅🏻🧑‍🎄

We do as well ..

Our twin daughters and their husbands and our 3 grandchildren and us, enjoy the holiday season very very much. It is always a special time for our small family.

I love Christmas and Yule as a way of celebrating the ending of the dark nights, but unfortunately I’m working Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 1.30 to 10pm! It will be my last working Christmas as I retire next May.. yay! My 2 daughters and grandchildren always want to come to our house as there is more room, so I’ll get to see the opening of the presents. Last year my daughter cooked dinner, as I was working, this year my husbands decided he’s cooking the Christmas dinner! All his been doing this week is watching the Christmas cooking programmes… he can’t bring himself to ask me for advice or help lol.

TakeThat I feel sorry for you that sounds so miserable. Make sure to look after yourself too. I enjoy the weeks before Christmas, but then for me once Christmas Day has gone so have i !

Personally, I wish I could hibernate until it’s all over.

I used to love it as a child and when my own children were growing up but now it just rubs it in how many family members aren’t here, not just my sisters and husband who have died, but two daughters and my granddaughter who all live in the US.

I don’t send cards or decorate, but I enjoy seeing other people’s trees and I will put a brave face on for DD3 and my sweet 2year old twin grandsons even though my heart will be aching for Christmases past.

Despite rather sparse early Christmases (my parents went to the pub and left my sister and I alone for hours) I love Christmas. I love writing and sending the cards, being with family, the lights we and others put up, decorating the tree, the carols and music, the food and drink and, this year, I will have a new grandchild who will be 25 days old on Christmas Day. There is a melancholy tinge in remembering those we have lost and when our dear children were little but Christmas as an oasis in a dark, cold, bleak season.

I hate Xmas always glad when it's over I have a ninety odd year old relative I spend it with and try to make it good for her She has never been a nice person I love the feeling when it's over

GrannyGravy13

I adore Christmas and all it entails 🎄🤶🏻🎅🏻🧑‍🎄

Me too!

For the past few years I’ve realised that I enjoy the run-up and especially the week between Christmas and New Year, more than the actual day. That is a relatively relaxed time - all the cheerful lights and decorations still up, but very little shopping and not much in the way of major cooking - all the lovely leftovers to eat up!

I used love Christmas when my husband was alive but lost my brother in a road accident, my husband suddenly in his early fifties and my dad almost two years to the day after my husband. So much sadness in a short space of time. This will be the first Christmas I will spend with my son, dil and two little ones (they have spent previous Christmases with dil's family) and I must admit I feel very mixed emotions about it. It will be lovely to share the joy with with the toddler who is a poppet but I think I will struggle to be with my emotions ( may need to pop out to feed the horse or walk their dog just for a few minutes on my own). Sending hugs to all those who are missing loved ones.

I’m another recent widow for whom this Christmas will never be the same. DH died 6 months ago and I’m struggling tbh. I’ll do my best for the family especially the young grandchildren. Love to all in the same situation

Dempsie special celebrations must be hard for you to bear. You can only do your best to cope with the jollity which surrounds you. Wishing you Peace and Comfort this Christmastide. x

Oh Romola and knspol your posts were so poignant. 💐
I hope for you both that Christmas will bring some cheer. Memories are precious. x

Films that do not involve McAuley Culkin!!

That made me laugh Nanny27!

I hope so too GrammarGrandma for you. Your Christmas sounds cosy and comforting. “Merry Christmas” from me. x

AuntieE I so admire your fortitude. I remember your posts this time last year and I’m wishing you “All the Best” for Christmas this year. You are doing a very generous thing. x

Cateq and TanaMa 💐
Oh ladies, it will never be ‘the same’ for either of you. But you’ll treasure those very happy memories of past times.
“Merry Christmas” to you both from me. x

Oh heck - apologies 62dg. 😮

To everyone else have a wonderful Xmas and enjoy

Oh you too CD62 as best you can anyway. It’s difficult for some indeed - but well done you for trying at a tough time in your life. I bet your bedroom looks cosy at night and I hope it sparks (some) joy. “Happy Christmas”. x

Greyduster Season’s greetings to you too. Your late husband would be proud of you for making the effort - even though you didn’t really feel like it. x

Oh you too CBBL 👋
I haven’t noticed you posting in a while - but perhaps we’ve just been on different threads!
Anyway I’m wishing you a very ‘Happy Christmas’ from me.
x

Roll on New Year - let’s get Christmas over please. It’s an intrusion in my life - long queues in the supermarket, crazy traffic, ghastly ads on tv and constant spend spend spend . Other half talked me into having a drinks party!!! I thought he was kidding until I saw the invitation emails he sent out - my worst nightmare - a couple of stiff drinks pre party should help. Didn’t have a great experience as a child either - my family always managed to have a good row at some point.

Nope.
Christmas is lovely when you’re a child ( obviously not always the case ) or when your own children are small and still believe in Father Christmas. I absolutely loved it.
But now it’s actually boring.
Everyone pretending to be enjoying themselves when really they just want to scroll through their phones.